Live Review: MINISTRY- The Squirrely Years- Performing Songs from the Albums With Sympathy and Twitch Along with - Nitzer Ebb and Die Krupps

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

The Riviera Theatre Chicago
Friday - May 9, 2025

Al Jourgensen is a bona fide shape shifter.
Who would've thought, dating back to last year's Cruel World Festival, followed by the announcement of this tour and the re- imagining and revved up to today's standards anything related to "With Sympathy", and also its followup "Twitch', and this immensely glorious live tour.
YouTube is one thing, tolerable, to catch the live performances and whatnot, but for audio, and anything in person, a whole nother level of fun entirely live an in person, with a PA providing enough bass to pummel us into oblivion with dark synth pop OOMPH.

First three songs from the pit- fun and games galore visually speaking, industrial- ish shenanigans dialed down a bit- what with the centerpiece metallic cross showing a bit of beauty encased in roses as a good measure of sharing the love, in order to "Work for Love".

Let alone the throwback sparkly jackets, worn by Al Jourgensen and also Pau D'Amour.
The visual cues musician wise, by everyone, made this is a costume affair reflecting the times of yore, circa 1983 thru 1986, a time when "Party" was on the mind 24/7, what with the clockwise tour of specific haunts back in the day, from Club 950, Smart Bar, Neo, and lastly Exit on Wells, with the occasional pit stop at all things Medusa's .

Ministry of course was front and center before anything Sire Records, what with English synth pop being ever evident, along with more choppy and catchy material, the likes of The The in particular, and of course early Cure and Joy Division, followed by New Order (amongst plenty of others).
A world of crazed dance, depending on venue- like minded brotherhood of dangerous men ready to mop the streets of Chicago, before the age of cell phones, or anything internet/ social media related.
Music, especially from locals making a name for themselves- Chicago related, equals a badge of honor, to the present day.

Yes, Arista and its brass back then drove Al nuts, to the point of having a hard time identifying himself with them, conforming to them.
Wanting out, those two records, "With Sympathy" and "Twitch"- all of the above made it difficult for him to embrace whatsoever.
For decades.
And then, the inevitable- Some modicum of closure.
With everything.

One more album in the works apparently, hopeful release date of 2026, with Paul Barker and the others- then- Sayonara.
Although, never say never with recordings and pivots- you just never know.
But Al's demeanor when asked this is nothing caustic with the answer- more a sense of relief and relaxation, which spells definitive.

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Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Ministry - Bobby Talamine (c) 2025

Which punches up to this "Squirrely Years Tour", and a sense of everyone, I mean everyone is all in on the fun, embracing these danceable nuggets and letting loose on a Friday night in Chicago.
Lost count how many people I bumped into at the Riv, let alone getting to the venue early for some nice chats, and witnessing a line of excited folk all dressed up in their dark costume gear, with lots and lots and lots of Wax Trax! shirts worn for fashion statements.
Everyone- accentuating the positive, both audience and band.

And on a side note- who knew that Paul D'Amour had wicked dance moves?
Blew me away from the pit watching him gyrate about to the catchy beats of "Work for Love", "Here We Go", and "All Day".
Damn fun watching him, let alone the backup singers in their sexy black body suits living it up from the back of the stage as well.

And the crowd, equally immersed in all the dark synth pop fun.
AL too was in on the action, not full body dance, more upper arm twists and turns and sophisticated microphone flips, followed by campy love logoed sunglasses, and a fur hat to add stylistic appeal.
Love how he's mellowed. taking the time to let the historic venue such as The Riv and its patrons sink in, working them up for the occasional sing alongs and impromptus, and also taking the time to share some smiles with me from the pit- me being "The Old Guy" with grey hair, dating back to when Ministry started out, let alone anything Wax Trax! related.

A somewhat shared history with Al and coming out the other end, a bit unscathed, with current day flaws sure, but still- in your mid sixties and up- honestly, not much time left knock on wood health wise.

So like this current tour, and the folks in the crowd being in almost the same age bracket- enjoy your time while you can people- times like these, playing early albums from Ministry you thought you'd never hear again ever- come full circle please, and- let loose while you still have gas in the tank.
The setlist- 14 songs total including encore, billowing smoke out of my head, ears burning to whirling dervish moves to the likes of towards the end setlist wise, with "Effigy (I'm Not An))" and also "Revenge" for sure- me becoming an uncontrollable and sweaty mess, lest we forget "Over The Shoulder" as well.
Next thing you know, the show is done in roughly 90 minutes or so, but who's complaining- no filler and sad sac interludes.

This show was hits on top of hits, the catchy and dark synth pop kind, back when no one knew what the fuck they were doing, outside of becoming studio rats, or all out night clubbing like me.
So with this review, kinda different of sorts, reflecting the times, the past, come full circle, show some respect to all things AL, the band Ministry, let alone Jam Productions, the Riv,, Broadway and Lawrence and its history, and of course the Ministry faithful.
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Respect time ten for all of the above, no need for technical details on this and that for this review.
The essence of this event, this tour- "A DANCE PARTY", lest you forget it.
Also, for those of you on the fence- show some love there as well- Ministry is currently heading east, then up through Canada, before heading out west by June 3rd.
Go see- because this show is a must see.
You got it?
Good.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

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Ministry, Live Music, Chicago, JBTV Music Television, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Jerry Bryant, Party, The Riviera Theatre, 2025